Ready for this heatwave? Here’s how medical cannabis can help you sleep better – and yes, it’s legal in the UK

Ready for this heatwave? Here’s how medical cannabis can help you sleep better – and yes, it’s legal in the UK

The Met Office forecast that Britons can expect warm and sunny weather reaching 30 degrees. However, the result of this jeopardises our sleep and irritability at night. According to a sleep survey conducted by Philips in 2019, 62% of people struggle to sleep during warmer weather. With medical professionals highlighting this can pose serious risks to our physical and mental health, millions of Brits across the country are searching for solutions for debilitating insomnia they are suffering. New research from Mamedica – the UK’s leading medical cannabis clinic – has revealed that although half the nation (51%) say they find it hard to sleep at night, they do not want to use prescription medication to treat this for fears of feeling groggy or other side effects the next day.

As a result, a growing number of people are turning to holistic remedies, CBD or medical cannabis, to improve their quality of sleep.

This comes as a growing body of research has highlighted the benefits of medical cannabis for sleep. According to a recent study published by the National Institutes of Health, 39% of patients were able to reduce or discontinue their prescription medication indicated for sleep after using medical cannabis. Additionally, 71% of patients reported a subjective improvement in their sleep or related condition. The unique properties of medical cannabis have shown promise in easing insomnia, reducing sleep latency, and prolonging sleep duration. But how does it interact with our bodies exactly? The cannabinoids present in medical cannabis interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system, which regulates various physiological processes, including sleep. By targeting specific receptors, medical cannabis can promote relaxation, alleviate anxiety, and induce a state of calmness conducive to a good night’s sleep.

How can it help in the heat?

Temperature regulation: CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system, which plays a role in regulating various bodily functions, including body temperature. By potentially promoting homeostasis, CBD may help the body better regulate its temperature, contributing to a more restful sleep environment.

Anxiety and stress reduction: High temperatures and uncomfortable sleep conditions can induce anxiety and stress, making it difficult to relax and fall asleep. CBD has been shown to have potential anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) and stress-reducing effects. By interacting with receptors in the brain involved in mood regulation, CBD may help alleviate anxiety and stress, promoting a calmer state of mind conducive to better sleep.

Discomfort relief: Hot weather can cause discomfort due to sweating, heat-related skin irritations, or general feelings of restlessness. CBD’s anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties may provide relief from the discomfort associated with hot weather. By reducing inflammation and soothing irritated skin, CBD may contribute to a more comfortable sleep experience.

Is medical cannabis legal in the UK?

In 2018, the United Kingdom took a significant step in the field of medicine by legalising medical cannabis. This decision marked a significant shift in the country’s approach to cannabis as a therapeutic option. The move came after a series of high-profile cases, including that of young epilepsy patients, whose conditions were reportedly improved with the use of cannabis-based medications. Patients in the UK can now access medical cannabis – most often through private clinics – if they have tried two previous medications for their condition which have proved to be ineffective.

Jon Robson, CEO and founder of Mamedica says:

“CBD and medical cannabis have been shown to have immense benefits in supporting sleep quality, even in challenging environments such as hot weather. The therapeutic properties of CBD and specific cannabinoids found in medical cannabis can address various factors that disrupt sleep during the heat.

“Medical cannabis, with its diverse range of cannabinoids like THC and CBN, may offer additional benefits. THC has been reported to have sedative properties, potentially aiding individuals in achieving deeper and more restorative sleep. CBN, a minor cannabinoid that forms as THC ages, has shown potential as a sleep-promoting compound, offering relaxation and sedation that can support uninterrupted sleep.

“Our service offers unrestricted access to the widest range of cannabis-based prescription medicines available in the UK, and our healthcare model has been designed to deliver the fastest speed of service, from initial consultation to the patient receiving their prescription.”

About Mamedica

Mamedica is a private clinic with a linked pharmacy which specialises in cannabis-based prescriptions (from oil to cannabis flower), for patients who have not found satisfactory results for their conditions with their existing medications across pain, psychiatry, neurology, palliative care and cancer.

Following a secure, private video consultation the medicines can be delivered directly to the patient’s door via next-day delivery service. All of the medicines prescribed by Mamedica are produced and manufactured according to the pharmaceutical-grade EU-GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice), the most stringent in the world. Patients can be assured that their medicines are not contaminated with pesticides or other adulterants.

Founded by Jon Robson, and launched in 2022, Mamedica aims to deliver a quality of service which is currently lacking in the medical cannabis sector. Mamedica puts patient safety, security, and satisfaction at the forefront of every activity, using only the most high-calibre consultants and support staff as part of their team.

Rugged Hank

Typically thought of as being an easy to clean area of the home, hard floors have risen in popularity in recent decades. Globally, hard floors are the most common floor type,2 and research released today by Dyson has uncovered poor cleaning habits that mean hard floors are likely to be harbouring an array of hidden nasties.     This comes as 32% of Brits – equating to 21.6 million people in the UK – will use the same dirty mop head for six months or more before replacing it. What’s more, one in 20 also admit to keeping the same mop for a year or longer, and one in 10 think it is acceptable to use the same mop 100 times, spreading dirt around their floors every time they use it.   Cross contamination is a primary issue for most common and traditional mopping methods with germs and bacteria further being unknowingly spread around homes as Brits use dirty water to clean floors.3 45% only change the water to new water between rooms, whereas 41% wait even longer until it looks dirty. This could mean that floors are being washed with dirty water, adding more dirt rather than taking it away. Surprisingly, almost one in 10 (9%) even admit to not changing the dirty water at all when mopping.   Over a quarter (28%) admit to mopping their floors once a fortnight or less while over half (53%) admit they don’t regularly clean behind appliances and leave dirt to build up for as long as six months at a time.   image002.jpg   On how to achieve a perfect barefoot clean feel after mopping, Geli Lee, Dyson Engineer and Home Cleaning Expert offers their top tips for eliminating dirt around the home:   1.     Create a cleaning schedule to stay on top of dirt build-up. In the last year, there has been a 15% global reduction in the number of people who maintain regular cleaning schedules. 47% of the British public admitted to only being motivated to clean when they spot visible dirt or dust.4 Regular floor cleaning with a wet hard floor cleaner like the Dyson WashG1™ removes more stubborn dirt than vacuuming alone.    It is important to have a debris free surface, clear any clutter from the floor or other surfaces.      Choose the right machine: Different vacuums are designed for different floor types and home sizes. Some machines will be engineered with hard floors in mind and will struggle on thick pile carpets, for example. Choosing the right machine for your home will make a big difference to the ease and speed with which you’re able to clean your home.      Clean your floors ‘little and often’. Washing your floors frequently in areas that receive more foot fall will help to stop dirt building up and getting trodden into your floor. Using a dedicated wet floor cleaner on hard flooring such as the Dyson WashG1 is helpful for this, as the versatile format means it vacuums and washes the floor simultaneously.   Cleaning schedules have also become less regimented. In recent years only 41% of people claim to have a regular cleaning schedule, and 60% admit to cleaning reactively; being motivated to clean only when there is visible dirt or dust5. It’s perhaps not surprising, that a fifth of people are still concerned their floors are dirty after they’ve mopped them (22%) and one in four6 feel extremely worried about indoor dust at home.  Geli Lee, Dyson Engineer and Home Cleaning Expert reveals why it is important to change the way we mop: “Cleaning your hard floors properly and regularly is important for maintaining a healthy environment around your home. Without a proper cleaning routine, dirt may unknowingly build up and spread around your home. It is evident from our research that current mopping habits mean British households aren’t cleaning their floors as effectively as they should.   “From ignoring problem areas where dust and debris build up, cross contamination with dirty water to not replacing mop heads or inconsistent cleaning, current mopping behaviours may be making floors dirtier as opposed to cleaner. Moving away from traditional methods, wet floor cleaners like the Dyson WashG1 simplify the floor cleaning experience and provide a modern efficient and hygienic solution”  To help take the guesswork out of mopping, the brand new WashG1 is Dyson’s first dedicated wet floor cleaner that tackles wet and dry debris in one go. Engineered for hygienic cleaning and maintenance, the WashG1 is revolutionising wet floor cleaning, removing the need for multi-products and multi-steps to achieve a barefoot clean feel around the home.   To put the product to the test, Dyson have cleaned one of London’s most iconic landmarks The Victoria and Albert Museum. From cleaning the grand marble floors housing the most prestigious exhibits, to cleaning up leftover food in the Gamble Room Cafe, the WashG1 had a dirt busting tour of the museum leaving it spotless. Images can be found here.    The WashG1 introduces Dyson’s engineering expertise to cleaning hard floors. With a 1 litre clean-water tank to cover flooring up to 290m2, the Dyson WashG1 uses a combination of hydration, absorption, and extraction technologies to remove wet and dry spills and stains simultaneously.   The Dyson WashG1 is available to purchase now from Dyson.co.uk, retailing at £599.99.

Typically thought of as being an easy to clean area of the home, hard floors have risen in popularity in recent decades. Globally, hard floors are the most common floor type,2 and research released today by Dyson has uncovered poor cleaning habits that mean hard floors are likely to be harbouring an array of hidden nasties. This comes as 32% of Brits – equating to 21.6 million people in the UK – will use the same dirty mop head for six months or more before replacing it. What’s more, one in 20 also admit to keeping the same mop for a year or longer, and one in 10 think it is acceptable to use the same mop 100 times, spreading dirt around their floors every time they use it. Cross contamination is a primary issue for most common and traditional mopping methods with germs and bacteria further being unknowingly spread around homes as Brits use dirty water to clean floors.3 45% only change the water to new water between rooms, whereas 41% wait even longer until it looks dirty. This could mean that floors are being washed with dirty water, adding more dirt rather than taking it away. Surprisingly, almost one in 10 (9%) even admit to not changing the dirty water at all when mopping. Over a quarter (28%) admit to mopping their floors once a fortnight or less while over half (53%) admit they don’t regularly clean behind appliances and leave dirt to build up for as long as six months at a time. image002.jpg On how to achieve a perfect barefoot clean feel after mopping, Geli Lee, Dyson Engineer and Home Cleaning Expert offers their top tips for eliminating dirt around the home: 1. Create a cleaning schedule to stay on top of dirt build-up. In the last year, there has been a 15% global reduction in the number of people who maintain regular cleaning schedules. 47% of the British public admitted to only being motivated to clean when they spot visible dirt or dust.4 Regular floor cleaning with a wet hard floor cleaner like the Dyson WashG1™ removes more stubborn dirt than vacuuming alone. It is important to have a debris free surface, clear any clutter from the floor or other surfaces. Choose the right machine: Different vacuums are designed for different floor types and home sizes. Some machines will be engineered with hard floors in mind and will struggle on thick pile carpets, for example. Choosing the right machine for your home will make a big difference to the ease and speed with which you’re able to clean your home. Clean your floors ‘little and often’. Washing your floors frequently in areas that receive more foot fall will help to stop dirt building up and getting trodden into your floor. Using a dedicated wet floor cleaner on hard flooring such as the Dyson WashG1 is helpful for this, as the versatile format means it vacuums and washes the floor simultaneously. Cleaning schedules have also become less regimented. In recent years only 41% of people claim to have a regular cleaning schedule, and 60% admit to cleaning reactively; being motivated to clean only when there is visible dirt or dust5. It’s perhaps not surprising, that a fifth of people are still concerned their floors are dirty after they’ve mopped them (22%) and one in four6 feel extremely worried about indoor dust at home. Geli Lee, Dyson Engineer and Home Cleaning Expert reveals why it is important to change the way we mop: “Cleaning your hard floors properly and regularly is important for maintaining a healthy environment around your home. Without a proper cleaning routine, dirt may unknowingly build up and spread around your home. It is evident from our research that current mopping habits mean British households aren’t cleaning their floors as effectively as they should. “From ignoring problem areas where dust and debris build up, cross contamination with dirty water to not replacing mop heads or inconsistent cleaning, current mopping behaviours may be making floors dirtier as opposed to cleaner. Moving away from traditional methods, wet floor cleaners like the Dyson WashG1 simplify the floor cleaning experience and provide a modern efficient and hygienic solution” To help take the guesswork out of mopping, the brand new WashG1 is Dyson’s first dedicated wet floor cleaner that tackles wet and dry debris in one go. Engineered for hygienic cleaning and maintenance, the WashG1 is revolutionising wet floor cleaning, removing the need for multi-products and multi-steps to achieve a barefoot clean feel around the home. To put the product to the test, Dyson have cleaned one of London’s most iconic landmarks The Victoria and Albert Museum. From cleaning the grand marble floors housing the most prestigious exhibits, to cleaning up leftover food in the Gamble Room Cafe, the WashG1 had a dirt busting tour of the museum leaving it spotless. Images can be found here. The WashG1 introduces Dyson’s engineering expertise to cleaning hard floors. With a 1 litre clean-water tank to cover flooring up to 290m2, the Dyson WashG1 uses a combination of hydration, absorption, and extraction technologies to remove wet and dry spills and stains simultaneously. The Dyson WashG1 is available to purchase now from Dyson.co.uk, retailing at £599.99.